Method for managing equipment in order to update a firmware

ABSTRACT

A method is described for remotely managing a piece of network connection equipment in order to deploy a firmware. The method includes generating connection data of the equipment to the network over a predetermined period of time, determining, on a remote management server, a time slot, specific to the equipment, for downloading the firmware depending on these the generated connection data, transmitting, to the equipment, information relating to the time slot specific to this equipment and to an address of a download server, sending, from the equipment, a request for downloading the firmware to the download server, sending, from the download server, firmware download data to the equipment, and downloading the firmware during the time slot specific to the equipment.

The field of the invention relates to the deployment of a firmwareupdate within an equipment for connection to a network, for example arouter. The network is for example a wide area network of Internet type.

To allow a customer or business to connect to a network and, thus, toaccess the content available on this network, an operator provides thecustomer or business with one or more equipments for connection to thenetwork. These equipments, better known by the acronym CPE(“Customer-Premises Equipment” or “Customer-Provided Equipment”) arethen sited near the customer or business and are connected to theoperator's infrastructure in a point of presence (also known by theacronym PoP) via a local loop.

The operator is responsible for the management and administration of anoften large number of these equipments. In particular, the monitoring ofthese equipments may involve updating the firmware implemented in theseequipments. This monitoring is additionally provided by a managementserver, also called an auto-configuration server. However, updating theequipments makes them unavailable during the download period. Thus,during the updating of the firmware of an equipment, the customer orbusiness provided with this equipment does not have the possibility toaccess the accessible content on the network and therefore has to waitfor the update to finish. To avoid these inconveniences, operators oftenchoose to schedule these updates at night in the shortest possible timeslot, hence in a period when an equipment is least likely to berequired.

However, as explained above, an operator manages a large number ofequipments so that updating them simultaneously leads to a high load onthe servers. Operators are therefore forced to size the servers to beable to address the constraint of a fixed update download time slotcommon to all of the equipments.

Furthermore, a fixed time slot is independent of the habits andpractices of the users of these equipments, so that some users, whosometimes need to connect to the network during this time slot, cannotthen access the network due to the update.

The present invention aims to improve the situation.

To that end, a method is proposed for remotely managing a set of atleast one equipment for connection to a network with a view to updatingfirmware within each equipment. The method is implemented by computingmeans and comprises:

-   -   generating, at the level of each equipment, data on the        connection of the equipment to the network over a predetermined        period of time,    -   determining, at the level of a remote management server, a time        slot, specific to each equipment, for updating the firmware, the        time slot specific to an equipment being dependent at least on        the data on the connection of the equipment,    -   transmitting, to each equipment, information relating to the        time slot specific thereto,    -   transmitting, to each equipment, information relating to an        address of a download server with a view to updating the        firmware within each equipment,    -   sending, from each equipment, a request to download the firmware        update to the download server associated with the received        address,    -   sending, from the download server, firmware update download data        to each equipment sending a download request, and    -   downloading, within each equipment receiving the download data,        the firmware update in the time slot specific to each equipment.

Determining a time slot for downloading the update specific to thenetwork connection equipment makes it possible to decrease the load onthe download server. Thus, the updating of the respective firmwares ofthe numerous equipments may be spread out over time so that thecapacities of the download server are less stretched. Additionally,determining a time slot specific to each equipment makes it possible topersonalize the firmware update procedure and, advantageously, tomobilize the equipment only in a time slot during which the equipment isusually used little or not at all by a user.

According to one aspect of the invention, the connection data generatedby an equipment are transmitted at regular time intervals to themanagement server, each time interval corresponding to the predeterminedperiod of time.

Alternatively, the connection data generated by an equipment during aplurality of predetermined periods of time are associated with a profileat the level of the equipment, the profile being selected in a memorystoring profiles that are predetermined then transmitted to themanagement server.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to avoid multiplying the exchangesbetween the equipment and the management server and thus to avoidoverloading the network. Specifically, in such an alternative, the dataon the connection of an equipment are directly used by this equipmentand placed opposite predetermined profiles within a memory. The obtainedprofile is then sent to the management server, which then directlyobtains information on the periods of high/low consumption of theequipment with which the profile is associated.

According to one aspect of the invention, the transmission to anequipment of the information relating to the address of the downloadserver is consecutive to the transmission, from the equipment, of arequest to open a session to the management server, the request to opena session being sent upon detection, by the equipment, of the start ofthe time slot specific to the equipment.

According to another aspect of the invention, the one or more equipmentsand the management server communicate according to the TR-069communication protocol. The connection data are for example transmittedto the management server in an “inform request” of the TR-069 protocol.

According to another aspect of the invention, the connection datagenerated at the level of an equipment relate to one or more times ofconnection of the equipment to the network during the predeterminedperiod of time.

According to another aspect of the invention, the connection datagenerated at the level of an equipment relate to a quantity of datareceived by the equipment from the network during the predeterminedperiod of time.

According to one embodiment, the time slot specific to an equipment isdetermined according to the capacities of the download server S_DWLrelating to a maximum data transmission rate of the download serverS_DWL.

According to another aspect of the invention, the set of at least oneequipment comprises at least two equipments, the time slot specific toone equipment being further determined according to the data on theconnection of the one or more other equipments.

Very often, a plurality of equipments, present at different customers'premises, have to be updated remotely. The multiplication of equipmentsleads, in the prior art, to a substantial load on the download server,which therefore has to be sized accordingly. In the context of thepresent invention, each equipment is allocated a time slot which isspecific thereto for downloading the update. Nevertheless, it may happenthat a plurality of equipments share, at least in part, a time slot suchthat the load on the download server may be increased over the periodsof time in question, in particular when the download time slots overlap.It is therefore advantageous, in order to determine the download timeslot assigned to a particular equipment, to take into account not onlythe data on the connection of this equipment but also the data on theconnection of the other equipments (or of the other equipment in thecase where only two equipments are considered in all).

In one or more embodiments, the determination of the time slot forupdating the firmware specific to each equipment comprises:

-   -   calculating, for each equipment and for each time slot of a        plurality of potential time slots, a value of a parameter        representative of a use of the equipment in the time slot in        question according to the connection data generated by the        equipment,    -   selecting, for each equipment, the time slot corresponding to        the lowest use of the equipment, the set of the selected time        slots forming a schedule for updating all of the equipments,    -   determining, at each time of a plurality of times of the        schedule, an index representative of potential demand for the        download server at said time, the index in question being        dependent on the respective values of selected time slots        comprising said time, and    -   when the index is higher than a predetermined threshold at a        given time of the schedule, replacing one of the time slots        comprising the given time with another time slot, this other        time slot being selected according to the value of the parameter        representative of a use of the equipment in question in this        other time slot.

According to one aspect of the invention, the value of the parameterrepresentative of a use of an equipment in a given time slot iscalculated according at least to the quantity of data received by theequipment in the time slot.

The invention further relates to a computer program comprisinginstructions for implementing the above method, when the instructionsare executed by at least one processor.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to an equipment for connectionto a network comprising a firmware, the equipment further comprising aprocessor and a communication module configured for:

-   -   generating data on the connection of the equipment to the        network over a predetermined period of time,    -   receiving information relating to a time slot, specific to the        equipment, for downloading a firmware update within the        equipment,    -   receiving information relating to an address of a download        server with a view to downloading the firmware update,    -   sending a request to download the firmware update to the        download server associated with the received address,    -   receiving, from the download server, firmware update download        data, and    -   downloading the firmware update in the time slot specific to the        equipment.

The invention also relates to a remote management server for remotelymanaging a set of at least one equipment for connection to a networkwith a view to updating a firmware within each equipment. The managementserver is configured for:

-   -   receiving, from each equipment, data on the connection of the        equipment to the network over a predetermined period of time,    -   determining a time slot, specific to each equipment, for        updating the firmware, the time slot specific to an equipment        being dependent at least on the data on the connection of the        equipment,    -   transmitting, to each equipment, information relating to the        time slot specific to the equipment, and    -   transmitting, to each equipment, information relating to an        address of a download server with a view to downloading the        firmware update within each equipment in the time slot specific        to each equipment.

Lastly, the invention relates to a system comprising a set of at leastone equipment for connection to a network such as described above and aremote management server for remotely managing the set of at least oneequipment for connection to a network such as described above.

According to one aspect of the invention, the system further comprises adownload server configured for, upon receiving a request to download thefirmware update sent by an equipment of the set of at least oneequipment, sending firmware update download data to said equipment.

Other features, details and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from reading the following detailed description, and fromanalyzing the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to the invention comprising anequipment for connection to a network, a remote management server forremotely managing a set of at least one equipment and a download server;and

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for remotely managing a set of at least oneequipment for connection to a network according to the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system SYS according to the invention.

The system SYS comprises an equipment CPE for connection to a networkRES, a remote management server, also called an auto-configurationserver, S_GES for remotely managing a set of at least one equipment,here just the equipment CPE, and a download server S_DWL.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a single equipment CPE isshown. However, as explained in the remainder of the description, aplurality of equipments like the equipment CPE shown are able to connectto the network RES and to communicate with the management server S_GESand with the download server S_DWL.

The equipment CPE is configured to connect to the network RES. Thenetwork RES is for example a wide area network of Internet type.However, the network RES may also be a local area network or any othertype of network. Typically, the equipment CPE is located near the user,for example a customer or business. For example, the equipment CPE isconnected to the infrastructure of the operator with which the user hastaken out a subscription, in a point of presence (also known by theacronym PoP), via a local loop. The equipment CPE is also known by theacronym CPE (“Customer-Premises Equipment” or “Customer-ProvidedEquipment”).

The equipment CPE is for example a router connected by IP (acronym for“Internet Protocol”) as part of an IP VPN (acronym for “InternetProtocol Virtual Private Network”) service provided by an operator. Theequipment CPE may also be a router connected by FR (acronym for “FrameRelay”) as part of an FR VPN (acronym for “Frame Relay Virtual PrivateNetwork”) service provided by an operator. Besides a router, theequipment CPE may refer to other equipments such as a landlinetelephone, a network switching center, a home platform commonly calledan Internet box (also known by the acronym RG for “ResidentialGateway”), a decoder box (also known by the term STB for “Set-Top box”)or an analog terminal adapter.

Additionally, the equipment CPE is designed to generate data onconnection to the network RES over a predetermined period of time. Inother words, the equipment CPE is designed to generate and store datarepresentative of active or passive use of the network RES by the userfor a predetermined period of time.

For example, the connection data generated at the level of the equipmentCPE relate to one or more times of connection of the equipment CPE tothe network RES during the predetermined period of time. The connectiondata generated at the level of the equipment CPE may also relate to aquantity of data received by the equipment CPE from the network RESduring the predetermined period of time.

Typically, if the user of the equipment CPE connects to the network RESat a specific time in the predetermined period of time and remainsconnected for a certain period of time, the connection data generated bythe equipment CPE will relate to such information. Likewise, if thissame user receives, via the equipment CPE, a quantity of data, expressedfor example in bytes, in the predetermined period of time, theconnection data generated by the equipment CPE may also relate to thisinformation. More generally, the connection data generated by theequipment CPE are characteristic of the demand on or of the use of thisequipment for a predetermined period of time. Such data make it possibleto determine whether, during a given period of time, the equipment CPEhas been used a lot to connect to the network RES or, conversely, if ithas been used little or not at all to connect to the network RES.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the equipment CPE comprises a firmware FW, amemory MEM, a processor PROC and a communication module COM.

The firmware FW is a computer program integrated into the equipment CPEand is designed to implement one or more functionalities within theequipment CPE. The firmware FW may also be called microcode, internalsoftware, or embedded software. As explained in the remainder of thedescription, the present invention relates to a method allowing thefirmware FW to be updated in order to modify an existing functionalityor to integrate one or more new functionalities within the equipmentCPE. It is understood here that the firmware FW allows the operation andthe functionalities of the equipment CPE to be modified withoutmodifying or replacing the computing and electronic components.

The memory MEM is designed to store instructions in the form of acomputer program, the execution of which by the processor PROC resultsin the operation of the equipment CPE. For example, the instructions ofthe computer program corresponding to the firmware FW may be stored inthe memory MEM. Advantageously, the memory MEM is further designed tostore the connection data generated by the equipment CPE, and moreprecisely by the processor PROC. The memory MEM is, for example, anon-volatile memory. Alternatively, the memory MEM is a volatile memory.

Additionally, according to one embodiment, the memory MEM is furtherdesigned to store a set of predetermined profiles, such that theconnection data generated at the level of the equipment CPE during aplurality of predetermined periods of time are associated with a profileof the set of predetermined profiles. In other words, it is possible toassociate a pre-existing profile stored in the memory MEM withconnection data generated by the equipment CPE.

The communication module COM is designed to communicate with themanagement server S_GES and the download server S_DWL. In the exampleillustrated in FIG. 1, the communication module COM communicates withthe management server S_GES and the download server S_DWL via thenetwork RES.

In particular, the communication module COM is further designed to sendthe connection data generated at the level of the equipment CPE to themanagement server S_GES. As explained above, the connection data may be,according to one embodiment, associated with a predetermined profile atthe level of the memory MEM, the profile in question corresponding toconnection data generated during a plurality of predetermined periods oftime. In such an embodiment, the communication module COM is designed totransmit the obtained profile to the management server S_GES.

As explained in the remainder of the description, the software FW may beupdated using download data sent by the download server S_DWL. Thecommunication module COM is thus further configured to send a request todownload the firmware FW update to the download server S_DWL. Thecommunication module COM is further configured to receive the downloaddata from the download server S_DWL.

According to one embodiment, the equipment CPE and the management servercommunicate according to the TR-069 communication protocol. In thiscase, the connection data generated by the equipment CPE are transmittedto the management server S_GES in an “inform request” for example. Inaddition, the connection data may be transmitted to the managementserver S_GES on other occasions during the TR-069 protocol sessions. Forexample, the connection data may be stored in a parameter of the datamodel, the management server S_GES being able to access data via aGetParameterValues request. The connection data may also be saved in afile, the uploading of which is controlled by the management serverS_GES using requests (also called upload requests) sent by themanagement server S_GES during the sessions. The transmission of theconnection data by the equipment CPE to the management server S_GES maytherefore be performed in various ways during a TR-069 protocol session,the use of an inform request being one possible alternative amongothers.

The operation of the equipment CPE, and more specifically itsinteractions with the management server S_GES and the download serverS_DWL, will be explained in more detail in the remainder of thedescription with reference to FIG. 2.

The management server S_GES is configured to remotely manage, orsupervise, a set of at least one equipment for connection to the networkRES with a view to updating the firmware FW within each equipment. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 1, only one equipment, in this case theequipment CPE, is illustrated. However, those skilled in the artunderstand that the set of at least one equipment may comprise aplurality of equipments, therefore at least two equipments like theequipment CPE described above.

The management server S_GES is also called an auto-configuration serverin the literature relating to this technical field.

The management server S_GES is further configured to determine a timeslot, specific to each equipment CPE, for updating the firmware FW. Thetime slot specific to an equipment is determined according at least tothe data on the connection of the equipment in question. In other words,in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the management server S_GES isconfigured to determine, according at least to the connection datagenerated by the equipment CPE, the time slot during which it is mostadvantageous for the equipment CPE to update the firmware FW.

In one embodiment, the set of at least one equipment comprises aplurality of equipments, therefore at least two equipments like theequipment CPE. Advantageously, in such an embodiment, the time slotspecific to an equipment, for example the equipment CPE, is furtherdetermined according to the data on the connection of the otherequipments. In other words, for a given equipment of the set ofequipments, the time slot, specific to this equipment, determined by themanagement server S_GES is determined according not only to theconnection data specific to the equipment in question but also toconnection data generated by the equipments distinct from the equipmentin question.

For example, in the embodiment in which the data on the connection of anequipment that are generated during a plurality of predetermined periodsof time are associated with a predetermined profile at the level of theequipment, the time slot, specific to this equipment, is determinedaccording to the obtained profile of the equipment in question and alsoaccording to the respective profiles of the other equipments.

According to one embodiment, the time slot specific to an equipment isdetermined according to the capacities of the download server S_DWLrelating to a maximum data transmission rate of the download serverS_DWL.

The management server S_GES is further configured to transmit, to eachequipment, information relating to the time slot specific to theequipment in question. The management server S_GES is also designed totransmit, to each equipment, information relating to an address of thedownload server S_DWL with a view to downloading the firmware FW updatewithin each equipment in the time slot specific to each equipment.

The management server S_GES is for example a hardware server comprisinga memory (not shown) designed to store the respective addresses of eachequipment and communication means for sending/receiving data to/fromeach equipment.

The download server S_DWL is configured to send firmware FW updatedownload data to each equipment sending a download request.

Those skilled in the art understand that the download server S_DWLallows the operator to which the user of the equipment CPE hassubscribed to update or add functionalities to the equipment CPE.

In other words, as soon as it is connected to the network RES, theequipment CPE is able to enter into communication with the downloadserver S_DWL in order for the firmware FW integrated into the equipmentCPE to be able to be updated when the operator wishes.

In FIG. 1, the management server S_GES and the download server S_DWLappear as distinct servers with different roles. However, it will beunderstood that the management server S_GES and the download serverS_DWL may be one and the same server performing the role of managementserver S_GES and of download server S_DWL.

A method for remotely managing a set of at least one equipment, such asthe equipment CPE, for connection to the network RES will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2.

In the context of the implementation of the method described below, theequipment CPE is located near the user, for example a customer orbusiness. The user requires, during the day, the use of the equipmentCPE to connect to the network RES. The network RES is for example a widearea network of Internet type. The network RES may also be a local areanetwork or any other type of network. The equipment CPE comprises afirmware FW allowing one or more functionalities to be performed. Thefirmware FW is intended to be updated regularly in order to modifyalready existing functionalities or to incorporate new functionalities.This update is performed using the management server S_GES and thedownload server S_DWL.

Additionally, the method described below makes reference to theequipment CPE illustrated in FIG. 1. However, it is understood that thismethod is advantageously implemented for a plurality of equipments CPEconnected to the network RES.

In a step S1, the equipment CPE generates data on connection to thenetwork RES over a predetermined period of time. More specifically,these connection data are generated by the processor PROC of theequipment CPE. The information from this predetermined period of time isfor example stored in the memory MEM of the equipment CPE.

As explained previously, the connection data generated at the level ofthe equipment CPE relate to one or more times of connection of theequipment CPE to the network RES during the predetermined period oftime. The connection data generated at the level of the equipment CPEmay also relate to a quantity of data received by the equipment CPE fromthe network RES during the predetermined period of time.

In other words, if the user of the equipment CPE connects to the networkRES at a specific time in the predetermined period of time and remainsconnected for a certain period of time, the connection data generated bythe equipment CPE will relate to such information. Likewise, if thissame user receives, via the equipment CPE, a certain quantity of data inthe predetermined period of time, the connection data generated by theequipment CPE may also relate to this information.

In one particular embodiment, the connection data generated by theequipment CPE during a plurality of predetermined periods of time areassociated, within the memory MEM, with a predetermined profile. Thispredetermined profile is representative of the generated connectiondata.

Additionally, in one embodiment, each equipment, therefore the equipmentCPE, and the management server S_GES communicate according to the TR-069communication protocol. The connection data are then transmitted to themanagement server S_GES in an “inform request”.

In a step S2, the equipment CPE transmits the generated connection datato the management server S_GES. For example, the equipment CPE transmitsthe generated data to the management server S_GES at regular timeintervals. Advantageously, the time interval corresponds to thepredetermined period of time. More precisely, the connection data aresent by the communication module COM of the equipment CPE.

Alternatively, in the embodiment in which the connection data generatedduring a plurality of predetermined periods of time are associated witha predetermined profile within the memory MEM of the equipment CPE, theequipment CPE transmits the associated profile to the equipment CPE. Inother words, instead of transmitting the connection data each time theyare generated, the equipment CPE stores, for example in the memory MEM,the connection data generated over several predetermined periods of timeso as to decrease exchanges with the management server S_GES.Advantageously, the number of predetermined periods of time covers aduration longer than or equal to 24 hours.

In a step S3, the management server S_GES determines a time slot,specific to each equipment, and in particular the equipment CPE, forupdating the firmware FW, the time slot specific to an equipment beingdependent at least on the data on the connection of the equipment inquestion. Of course, in the embodiment in which an equipment transmits aprofile associated with the generated connection data, the time slotspecific to this equipment is determined according to this profile, andtherefore to the generated connection data.

For example, in the case where the set of at least one equipmentcomprises at least two equipments, the time slot specific to oneequipment may further be determined according to the data on theconnection of the other equipments.

Advantageously, the time slot specific to an equipment is furtherdetermined according to the capacities of the download server relatingto a maximum data transmission rate of the download server.

These two characteristics make it possible to take into account thecapacities of the download server S_DWL, in particular when the latteris called upon to update the firmware of a large number of equipmentslike the equipment CPE.

In one or more embodiments, the management server S_GES uses apredetermined function to determine, for each equipment sendingconnection data, a provisional time slot according to the connectiondata generated and sent by the equipment CPE in question. Thepredetermined function makes it possible to assign, to a given potentialtime slot, a value of a parameter representative of the demand on or useof the equipment CPE in the time slot in question. In other words, themanagement platform calculates, for each equipment and for each timeslot of a plurality of potential time slots, a value of the parameterrepresentative of the use of a given equipment in a given time slot ofthe plurality of potential time slots. The duration of a potential timeslot corresponds for example to the predetermined period of time. Theduration of a potential time slot may also correspond to a plurality ofpredetermined periods of time.

The predetermined function has as input, for example, the data rate,expressed for example in bytes per second, received on average by theequipment in the given time slot. The data rate corresponds, for a giventime slot, to the quantity of received data, expressed for example inbytes, divided by the duration of the given time slot, expressed forexample in seconds.

Additionally, given that the time slot to be determined is the time slotduring which the firmware FW will be updated, it is advantageous for thetime slot to have a minimum duration. This minimum duration is forexample dependent on the capacities of the download server S_DWL. Thisminimum duration is for example further dependent on the capacities ofthe equipment in question. Advantageously, this minimum duration is alsodependent on the data on the connection of the other equipments when aplurality of equipments are concerned by the firmware FW update.

The predetermined function makes it possible, for a given equipment, toassign a value of the parameter representative of a use of the equipmentto a plurality of given time slots, these time slots having a durationlonger than or equal to a minimum duration dependent on the capacitiesof the download server S_DWL and, potentially, the capacities of thegiven equipment. For example, the lower the value associated with agiven time slot, the less the given equipment is used, on average, inthis time slot. This given time slot is then the most likely to beselected by the management server S_GES as the time slot specific to thegiven equipment for downloading the firmware FW update.

Thus, for each equipment, the management server S_GES selects the timeslot associated with the lowest value. This time slot is called the“minimum-value time slot” in the remainder of the description. It isunderstood here that the management server S_GES selects, for eachequipment, the time slot corresponding to the lowest use of theequipment, that is to say the minimum-value time slot.

As explained above, the management server S_GES and the download serverare typically connected to a plurality of equipments like the equipmentCPE. The set of respective minimum-value time slots of the equipmentsmakes it possible to define a schedule (also called “planning” or“agenda”) for updating all of the equipments. Advantageously, therefore,the time slot specific to an equipment is dependent not only on the dataon the connection of the equipment in question but also on the data onthe connection of the other equipments. Thus, the load may be decreasedon the download server S_DWL.

Specifically, the respective minimum-value time slots of the equipmentsmay overlap over the total period of time of the schedule. Thus, if therespective minimum-value time slots of two equipments overlap, thismeans that the download server S_DWL will potentially have to implementthe firmware FW update of these two equipments at the same time in thetime interval in which the two minimum-value time slots overlap. In sucha case, there is therefore a particular demand on the download serverS_DWL. The reasoning is of course the same when more than twominimum-value time slots overlap.

To decrease the load on the download server S_DWL while taking intoaccount the different equipments and the various uses thereof, themanagement server S_GES may apply an additional criterion. For example,this criterion consists in determining, for a given time, the potentialload on the download server S_DWL. The management server S_GES thereforedetermines, at each time of a plurality of times of the schedule, anindex of potential demand for the download server S_DWL at the time inquestion. This index is determined according to the respective values ofselected time slots, therefore the minimum-value time slots, includingthe time in question. In other words, the management server S_GES runsthrough the total period of time, that is to say all of the respectiveminimum-value time slots of the equipments, and determines, at each timeof a plurality of times of the schedule, whether the corresponding indexis higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold. For example, theindex corresponds to the sum of the values of the minimum-value timeslots containing the time in question. It is understood here that thetimes to be targeted in particular are those in which a plurality ofminimum-value time slots overlap, which means that the updates of theequipments in question would have to be implemented by the downloadserver S_DWL at the same time at least in these common times.

When this predetermined threshold is exceeded for a given time, thismeans that too large a number of minimum-value time slots overlap atleast at this time so that joint updates of the firmware of theassociated equipments are overly resource-intensive for the downloadserver S_DWL.

Additionally, as explained above, another criterion to be verified mayalso be based on the capacities of the download server S_DWL. It is thenpossible to set a maximum number of time slots that may overlap at thesame time in order to prevent the download server S_DWL from having toimplement the updating of too many equipments at the same time. Whilethe criterion mentioned above is based on the use of the equipments bythe users, this one is oriented on the download server S_DWL-side and isdirectly linked to its own capacities, in particular the maximum datatransmission rate.

Advantageously, when a criterion is not met, the management server S_GESmay then replace the minimum-value time slot of one of the equipmentsinvolved with another time slot. For example, the minimum-value timeslot of an equipment is replaced with a time slot the value of which,calculated using the predetermined function, is the lowest value higherthan the minimum value. In other words, the second “best” time slot fora given equipment is selected. Next, the management server S_GES goesthrough the total period of time again while applying the criteriondescribed above again and replacing the minimum-value period of time ofone of the equipments with the new selected time slot. In other words,when the index is higher than a predetermined threshold at a given timeof the schedule, one of the time slots comprising the time is replacedwith another time slot, this other time slot being selected according tothe value of the parameter representative of a use of the equipment inquestion in this other time slot.

When, for any time of this total period of time, the criterion issatisfied, namely that the load on the download server S_DWL neverexceeds the predetermined threshold, then the obtained time slots arethe time slots specific to the equipments.

In a step S4, the management server S_GES transmits, to each equipment,information relating to the time slot specific to each equipment. Forexample, the equipment CPE illustrated in FIG. 1 receives, from themanagement server S_GES, the information relating to the time slot,which is specific thereto, for updating the software FW. Thisinformation is for example received by the communication module COM andis stored in the memory MEM of the equipment CPE.

In a step S5, the equipment CPE is waiting for the start of the timeslot for downloading the firmware FW update to be detected.Specifically, the time slot is characterized by an update start time andan update end time, so that the equipment CPE is waiting, in this step,for the update start time.

In a step S6, triggered by the detection of the update start time,therefore the start of the time slot specific to the equipment CPE, theequipment CPE sends, according to one particular embodiment, a requestto open a session to the management server S_GES. More exactly, therequest to open a session is sent by the communication module COM.

In a step S7, upon reception of the request to open a session sent bythe equipment CPE, the management server S_GES sends, to the equipmentCPE, information relating to an address of the download server S_DWLwith a view to updating the firmware FW within the equipment CPE. Thisinformation relating to the address of the download server S_DWL is forexample received by the communication module COM and stored in thememory MEM of the equipment CPE.

It should be specified here that the step of sending a request to open asession is optional and that the management server S_GES may directlytransmit the information relating to the address of the download serverS_DWL to the equipment CPE. This information may be, for example, sentwith the information relating to the time slot specific to the equipmentCPE or be sent before.

In a step S8, the equipment CPE sends a request to download the firmwareFW update to the download server S_DWL associated with the receivedaddress. This download request is for example sent by the communicationmodule COM and comprises the address of the download server so that therequest may be routed to the download server S_DWL.

In a step S9, upon reception of the download request sent by theequipment CPE, the download server S_DWL sends firmware update downloaddata to each equipment sending a download request. In particular here,the download server S_DWL sends the download data to the equipment CPEfor downloading the firmware FW update. These download data are forexample received by the communication module COM.

Lastly, in a step S10, the equipment CPE downloads the firmware FWupdate. The update is implemented in the time slot specific to theequipment CPE. More generally, the firmware update is downloaded withineach equipment receiving the download data.

The invention has several advantages.

First of all, determining a time slot for downloading the firmwareupdate specific to each equipment connected to the network makes itpossible to decrease the load on the download server. Thus, the updatingof the respective firmwares of the numerous equipments may be spread outover time so that the capacities of the download server are lessstretched.

In addition, determining a time slot specific to each equipment makes itpossible to personalize the firmware update procedure and,advantageously, to mobilize the equipment only in a time slot duringwhich the equipment is usually used little or not at all by a user.

1. A method of remotely managing a set of at least one equipment forconnection to a network in order to update a firmware of each equipment,the method comprising: generating, at the level of each equipment, dataregarding the connection of the equipment to the network over apredetermined period of time, determining, at the level of a remotemanagement server, a time slot, specific to each equipment, for updatingthe firmware, the time slot specific to an equipment being dependent atleast on the data regarding the connection of the equipment,transmitting, to each equipment, information relating to the time slotspecific to the equipment, transmitting, to each equipment, informationrelating to an address of a download server for the purpose of updatingthe firmware within the equipment, sending, from each equipment, arequest to download the firmware update to the download serverassociated with the received address, sending, from the download server,firmware update download data to each equipment sending a downloadrequest, and downloading, to each equipment receiving the download data,the firmware update in the time slot specific to the equipment.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the connection data generated by an equipmentare transmitted at regular time intervals to the management server, eachtime interval corresponding to the predetermined period of time.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the connection data generated by an equipmentduring a plurality of predetermined periods of time are associated witha profile at the level of the equipment, the profile being selected in amemory storing profiles that are predetermined before being transmittedto the management server.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thetransmission to an equipment of the information relating to the addressof the download server is consecutive to the transmission, from theequipment, of a request to open a session to the management server, therequest to open a session being sent upon detection, by the equipment,of the start of the time slot specific to the equipment.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein each equipment and the management server communicateaccording to the TR-069 communication protocol, the connection databeing transmitted to the management server in an “inform request”. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the connection data generated at thelevel of an equipment relate to one or more times of connection of theequipment to the network during the predetermined period of time.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the connection data generated at the level ofan equipment relate to a quantity of data received by the equipment fromthe network during the predetermined period of time.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the time slot specific to an equipment is determinedaccording to the capacities of the download server relating to a maximumdata transmission rate of the download server.
 9. The method of claim 1,the set of at least one equipment comprising at least two equipments,wherein the time slot specific to one equipment is further determinedaccording to the data on the connection of the one or more otherequipments.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determination of thetime slot for updating the firmware specific to each equipmentcomprises: calculating, for each equipment and for each time slot of aplurality of potential time slots, a value of a parameter representativeof a use of the equipment in the time slot in question according to theconnection data generated by the equipment, selecting, for eachequipment, the time slot corresponding to the lowest use of theequipment, the set of the selected time slots forming a schedule forupdating all of the equipments, determining, at each time of a pluralityof times of the schedule, an index of potential demand for the downloadserver at the time, the index being dependent on the respective valuesof selected time slots comprising the time, and upon a determinationthat the index is higher than a predetermined threshold at a given timeof the schedule, replacing one of the time slots comprising the timewith another time slot, the other time slot being selected according tothe value of the parameter representative of a use of the equipment inquestion in the other time slot.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thevalue of the parameter representative of a use of an equipment in agiven time slot is calculated according at least to the quantity of datareceived by the equipment in the time slot.
 12. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed byat least one processor, cause the at least one processor to implementthe method of claim
 1. 13. An equipment for connection to a network theequipment comprising a firmware, a processor, and a communicationmodule, the equipment configured to: generate data regarding theconnection of the equipment to the network over a predetermined periodof time, receive information relating to a time slot, specific to theequipment, for downloading a firmware update to the equipment, receiveinformation relating to an address of a download server for the purposeof downloading the firmware update, send a request to download thefirmware update to the download server associated with the receivedaddress, receive, from the download server, firmware update downloaddata, and download the firmware update in the time slot specific to theequipment.
 14. A remote management server for remotely managing a set ofat least one equipment for connection to a network in order to update afirmware of each equipment, the management server comprising a processorand configured to: receive, from each equipment, data regarding theconnection of the equipment to the network over a predetermined periodof time, determine a time slot, specific to each equipment, for updatingthe firmware, the time slot specific to an equipment being dependent atleast on the data regarding the connection of the equipment, transmit,to each equipment, information relating to the time slot specific to theequipment, and transmit, to each equipment, information relating to anaddress of a download server for the purpose of downloading the firmwareupdate to each equipment in the time slot specific to each equipment.15. A system (SYS) comprising a set of at least one of the equipment ofclaim 13 and a remote management server for remotely managing the set ofat least one of the equipment for connection to the network in order toupdate a firmware of each equipment, the management server comprising aprocessor and configured to: receive, from each equipment, dataregarding the connection of the equipment to the network over apredetermined period of time, determine a time slot, specific to eachequipment, for updating the firmware, the time slot specific to anequipment being dependent at least on the data regarding the connectionof the equipment, transmit, to each equipment, information relating tothe time slot specific to the equipment, and transmit, to eachequipment, information relating to an address of a download server forthe purpose of downloading the firmware update to each equipment in thetime slot specific to each equipment.
 16. The system of claim 15,further comprising a download server configured to, upon receiving arequest to download the firmware update sent by an equipment of the setof at least one equipment, send firmware update download data to theequipment.